Uber introduces uberCOMMUTE for private car owners in Bengaluru

Uber, one of the Silicon Valley’s most successful startups of the last decade, which through a smartphone app allows people to commute in and around cities with ease, is in India in a big way. The company has now launched a new product called uberCOMMUTE which allows drivers of private cars to share their ride with other commuters who are travelling in the same direction. Bengaluru is the second city after Delhi to adopt the carpooling initiative of uberCOMMUTE. Car-poolers can opt for this service between 7am to 9pm across the city.

With the press of a button on the app from a smartphone, car-poolers c an now commute together in fewer cars and help loosen up the city traffic. Prior to uberCOMMUTE, the firm had launched uberPOOL three months back, where fellow riders can share their Uber ride and travel costs.

Commenting on the launch of product, Bhavik Rathod, General Manager, Uber South & West said, “By making it easier and more convenient for people going in the same direction at the same time to share the journey-as well as the cost of the ride-Uber can help cut congestion and pollution. We are excited to launch uberCOMMUTE in Bengaluru and offer Bangaloreans reliable, convenient and an even more affordable option to get around their city.”

Bengaluru experiences around 1600 new cars hitting the roads of the city on a daily basis. Looking at the current rate of vehicle population expansion on the streets of the city, the Government of Karnataka and Bangalore Traffic Police are working on alternative to solve the traffic congestion issues. With uberCOMMUTE, as people commute in lesser cars together, its makers and the government hopes that it will help in reducing traffic congestion and pollution in Bengaluru.